Pediatric immobilizer



Dec. 14, 1965 R. T. KOLAR ETAL 3,223,084

PEDIATRIC IMMOBILIZER Filed Jan. 21, 1963 1 ii I ROBERT .0. 25/0 o 22 o :2 0- '-22 BY M United States Patent 3,223,084 PEDEATRIC IMMOBILIZER Robert T. Kolar, 1022 N. Laguna St., and Robert D. Reid, 701 Northgate Lane, both of Anaheim, Calif. Filed Jan. 21, 1963, Ser. No. 252,867 11 Claims. (Cl. 128-134) This invention relates generally to body restraining devices, and in particular, to a new and improved human diagnostic apparatus which immobilizes children during X-ray exposure.

Children present one of the most trying problems in diagnostic and therapeutic X-ray exposure. The pediatric patient is constantly in motion and is too young to understand instructions. Thus, many diagnostic pictures must often be taken to assume pictures that are not blurred by movement. Also, in X-ray therapy, movement of the child exposes healthy tissue to radiation which can result in an undesirable excess of X-rays contacting the pediatric patient. Immobilization of the child during X- ray procedures thus not only is important to the health of the patient, but is further important to the physician and/or technician in both reducing patient time and improving the eflicacy of minimal X-ray exposure.

Child immobilizers of one type or another have been known for many years. However, these prior art restraining devices all possess one or more common drawbacks which hamper their widespread use in X-ray procedures. Furthermore, there is a need, not satisfied by existing immobiiizers, for an inexpensive portable restraint apparatus which can be used in the home, hospital, laboratory, or physicians ofiice whenever the restraint of small children is required. Common defects in prior art immobilizers include lack of compactness, complexity of operation, failure to immobilize the pelvis and thus prevent body rotation and turning, expensiveness, lack of portability, difficultly storable, inflexibility in operational positioning, need for more than one operator being present during X-ray procedures, and excessive confinement of the child which produces fear and hysteria in the patient.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an improved immobilizer for humans, and particularly a restraining device suitable for use with small children.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved child immobilizer suitable for restraining a child during X-ray exposure.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved pediatric restraining device which is particularly suitable for holding a patient during the taking of anterior, posterior, and lateral X-ray pictures of the human chest, torso, abdomen, pelvic region, or skull.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pediatric immobilizer which is durable, portable, convenient to use, hand adjustable with a minimum of effort, economical, and simple to manufacture.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a practical child restraining device which is operable by a single person, which does not frighten the child patient, which is comfortable to the restrained patient, and which is particularly advantageous in use with children ranging from newly born infants to those children two or more years old.

Other and related objects will be apparent from the detailed description of the invention and various advantages not specifically referred to herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art on employment of the invention in practice.

We have now found that the foregoing objects and their attendant advantages can be particularly realized in a pediatric immobilizer comprising a patient-supporting 3,223,084 Patented Dec. 14, 1965 surface or platform having a post, usually located near one end of the platform, extending upwardly from the platform. The post has a vertically adjustable clamping block slidably mounted thereon which engages and clamps a patients pelvis and upper thighs thus holding the pediatric patient immobile in the pelvic and upper thigh regions. A preferred embodiment includes at least one baffle which restrains the patient from moving a leg from under the clamping block. In a further preferred apparatus, a perpendicular side attached to one edge of the patient-supporting surface permits the rotating of a clamped patient through a arc by placing the normally perpendicular side in a horizontal plane.

The improved child immobilizer of our invention can best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application, and wherein the same numerals are used to designate the same parts throughout the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the body restraining device of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side View of the device of FIGURE 1 taken on line 2--2.

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the device of FIGURE 1 taken on line 3-3.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view in partial cross-section taken on line 44 of the locking assembly shown in FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a reduced side view of the device of FIGURE 1 taken on line 5-5.

FIGURE 6 is a reduced bottom view of the device of FIGURE 2 taken on line 6-6.

It is to be understood that although the pediatric immobilizer of our invention is particularly applicable to infant children, our invention is broadly applicable to the restraint of any animal, or any size or age of human. Furthermore, although the restraining device of this invention is particularly adaptable for use in X-ray procedures, our invention can be used for restraint in any activity or application where immobility or partial immobility of a body is desirable. The immobilizer of this invention is described in a particular portable embodiment, but the structure of our invention is also applicable to a fixed platform or table wherein a vertical side member need not be used, but a second curb or limb bafile can be substituted for the side member.

Referring now more particular to FIGURES 1,, 2, 3, 5 and 6, the restraining device there shown comprises a base member 16 having patient contact surface 18 and back surface 20. Base member 16 can be a relatively small portable platform as shown or can comprise any bodyreceiving platform such as a table top, operating table, diagnostic table, treating table, or the like. Fixedly attached to one edge of base member 16 is substantially vertical side member 10* having patient contact surface 14 and back surface 12. Of course, base member 16 and side member 10 can be of integral construction with side member 19 longitudinally extending vertically from one longitudinal edge of base member 16. Both base member 16 and side member 10 are shown as rectangular shapes, but any geometric form is satisfactory which provides the needed platform for patient positioning in the case of base member 16, and the desired bafile and support characteristic in some uses of the invention for side member 10. A slot or opening 26 is located on one of the longitudinal edges of side member 10 adjacent the juncture of side member 10 with base member 16. Likewise, a similar slot or opening 24 is located on the edge of base member 16 at the juncture of base member 16 with side member 10. Slots 24 and 26, opening through base member 16 and side member 10 respectively, permit more convenient positioning of the X-ray film or film holder and permit passage of the film cassette through these cutouts in base member 16 and side member when the child immobilizer of this invention is used in conjunction with X-ray procedures.

Shaft or support post 28 is fixedly attached or secured near leg end B to base member 16 and extends substantially vertically from patient contact surface 18. Support post 28 is shown as an upstanding rod with a circular cross-section, but post 28 can take any geometric crosssectional form such as a square, rectangle, angle, U, or the like. The length of support post 28 is normally not critical and is governed primarily by the amount of vertical Sliding adjustment that is desired for convenience in the use of pelvic clamping block 30.

The restraining means of this invention comprises clamping block 30 slidably mounted on support post 28, block 30 having a lower padded patient contact surface 32, a flexible but firm upholstered surface which conforms somewhat to that portion of the patients body contacted. Typically, sponge rubber or foam plastic is used for padding, but any suitable padding material is satisfactory. Centrally located in clamping block 30 is a hole through which support post 28 passes and which has locking ring 36 around its periphery as illustrated in FIGURE 4. Locking ring 36, securely attached to clamping block 30, has integral radial flanges 40 and 44 extending outwardly radially therefrom. Flange 40 has guide opening 42 extending therethrough which guides the threaded end 48 of L-shaped locking handle 38 into threaded opening 46 of integral radial flange 44. Threaded end 48 threads by clockwise motion into threaded opening 46 until shoulder 41 bears on the outer face of radial flange 40 as shown in FIGURE 4. Any further clockwise motion of locking handle 38 then clamps locking ring 36 tightly to support post 28. Other conventional clamping or locking devices can be used in place of the assembly illustrated to adjustably clamp or lock clamping block 30 in a variety of vertical locations on support post 28. For example, a series of holes spaced vertically on support post 28 could accommodate a removable peg which would also fit into holes provided through a diameter of locking ring 36, thus permitting vertical locing adjustment of clamping block 30.

Attached securely in any conventional manner to patient contact surface 18 of base member 16 is limb baffle 34. Limb bafile or curb 34 is preferably, but not necessarily, upholstered in the same manner as surface 32 of clamping block 30. Although limb baffle 34 is illustrated as a rectangular shaped block, this baffie or curb means can take any geometric form which serves the basic function of restraining limb movement parallel to the patient contact surface 18 of base member 16 and in a direction perpendicular from patient contact surface 14 of side member 10. Bafile 34 is positioned so that there is sufiicient clearance, as illustrated in the drawing, between clamping block 30 and baflle 34 so that when clamping block 30 is lowered towards patient contact surface 18, clamping block 30 can pass alongside baffle 34. The height of bafile 34, usually between about 2 and about 6 inches, should be at least suflicient to block movement of a leg over the top of baffle 34 from the patients clamped position on patient contact surface 18. An alternate immobilizer structure, wherein side member 10 is omitted, utilizes a second baflle 34 on the opposite side of clamping block 30.

Legs 22, located at the corners of back surface of base member 16 and the corners of back surface 12 of side member 10, serve to support the immobilizer when placed on X-ray table surfaces, diagnostic table tops, and the like. Conventional diagnostic tables have smooth slick surfaces for easy cleaning, and typically the surface of the diagnostic table is waxed or treated to inhibit the sticking of human secretions or blood. The use of legs 22 is thus advantageous not only to prevent marring of surfaces on which the immobilizer of this invention is usually placed, but also preferably to provide sufiicient friction to keep the pediatric immobilizer of this invention from slipping or sliding when used on slick support surfaces. Rubber or plastic is a suitable material of construction for legs 22, but any material is satisfactory which will structurally support the immobilizer and a patient, which will not mar or scratch surfaces contacted therewith, and which will provide suflicient frictional resistance to minimize immobilizer slipping.

Base member 16 and side member 10 can be made of any suitable structural material which has the necessary strength such as wood, plywood, plastics, plastic-covered wood, metals, and the like. Radiolucent materials can be used such as a transparent plastic, e.g., styrene, and glass, methacrylates, and the like are also satisfactory. Preferably, base member 16 and side member 10 are constructed of materials which are easily cleaned, soil and stain resistant, and readily sanitized or sterilized. Preferably, all edges and corners of the pediatric immobolizer are rounded as shown in the drawings to protect the patient from injury and marking. Note particularly the rounded edge 50 of leg end B of base member 16 which prevents marking of the child patients legs when clamped in the immobilizer.

The fabrics or materials used to pad or upholster surface 32 of clamping block 30 and the surface of bafile block 34 can comprise any cloth, sheet material, or fabric made of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, sheet plastics, and the like. Particularly useful for this padded surface are the sturdy plastic sheet fabrics which clean easily and are resistant to deterioration from human secretions and sanitizing chemicals.

A typical immobilizer of this invention has a base member 16 and a side member 10 made of Formica-covered one-inch thick plywood, each member having a length of about 24 inches and a width of about 14 inches. Support post 28 is a chrome-plated steel rod having a three-quem ter inch diameter and extending about 11 inches verti cally above patient contact surface 18 and located about 3 inches from leg end B and about 4 /2 inches from surface 14 of side member 10. Clamping block 30 is about 8 /2 inches long, about 6 /2 inches wide, and about 2 /2 inches deep. Clamping block 30 is located about one-quarter inch from patient contact surface 14 of side member 10 and about one-half inch in from leg end B of base member 16. Curb 34 is about 5 /2 inches long, and 1% inches wide, and has a height of about 2% inches extending vertically from patient contact surface 18. Curb 34 is located about 9 inches from patient contact surface 14 of side member 10 and about one-half inch from leg end B of base member 16. The lower surface 32 of clamping block 30 and curb 34 are padded with foam rubber and covered with a sheet plastic fabric. Slots 24 and 26 are about 16 /2 inches long, about 2 inches wide, and are located about 2 /2 inches in from head end A and about 5 inches in from leg end B. Rubber legs 22 are about inch in diameter, %-1I1Cl1 high, and are located at the corners of side member 10 and base member 16 about 2 inches from each corner edge.

As is apparent, the child immobilizer of this invention can be used with a minimum of discomfort or incon venience to the patient while appreciably facilitating the work of the technician. In using our pediatric immobilizer for X-ray procedures, the child patient is usually placed on his back on patient contact surface 18 of base member 16 with his head and shoulders oriented at head end A of base member 16 and his legs oriented at leg end B of base member 16. The patients pelvis and upper legs are then immobilized by the restraining means of this invention, i.e., the pelvis and upper thigh fit under clamping block 30; the right leg fitting between padded bafile 34 and support post 28, and the left leg fitting between support post 28 and side member 10. Preferably, the infant patients crotch or pelvic region is adjacent support post 28. Clamping block 30 is moved downwardly on support post 28 until it firmly holds, and thus immobilizes, the patients lower pelvic region and usually, a portion of the upper thighs. Then, locking handle 38 is turned clockwise so that locking ring 36 firmly locks or clamps against support post 28 thus holding clamping block 30 securely against the immobile legs of the infant patient. A loaded film cassette is placed under the patients back, usually before clamping, and the patients arms are held back and over his head, thus permitting careful and exact positioning for X-ray procedures such as diagnostic chest X-ray pictures. In this manner, a front X-day of a childs chest can be taken effectively with little likelihood of the patient moving out of position. When it is desired to take a lateral chest picture, the immobilizer is tipped over so that side member is substantially horizontal, the patients chest being held firmly against the now vertical base member 16. A loaded film holder is appropriately placed for the side X-ray exposure between the patient and side member 10. Of course, the leg position in the immobilizer is reversed if the infant patient is disposed stomach down on patient contact surface 18. Furthermore, in some instances it is desirable for the patients legs to be oriented in the oposite direction from that just described so that the patients crotch is adjacent the side of support post 28 closest to leg end B.

Our child immobilizer incorporates features most attractive to those responsible for X-ray procedures with infant children. Some of the more significant features include: (1) simple operation including one-handed clamping of the childs pelvis and legs; (2) case of moving and positioning the child and immobilizer for a variety of X-ray pictures; (3) simplicity of film positioning and removal; (4) comfortable use on the child patient thus overcoming the inherent marking and bruising with prior art straps, rings, ties, and the like; (5) portability which lends itself to storage when not in use with infant patients; (6) simplicity of construction which lends itself to sterilization and cleaning and also permits economical manufacture, and (7) pelvis immobilization of the patient which inhibits turning and rotation of the body.

Various other changes and modifications are apparent from the description of this invention and further modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the following claims:

We claim:

1. An immobilizer for a body comprising:

a body-receivin platform for supporting said body in a prone position;

a post attached to and upstanding from said platform;

and

adjustable restraining means mounted on said post for restraining against movement the pelvis of said body by holding firmly against said platform, said adjustable restraining means being vertically adjustable on said post and substantially vertical baflie means attached to said platform on each side of said post laterally positioned from the projection of said restraining means and cooperative with said post and said adjustable restraining means to lock the pelvis of said body beneath said restraining means and each of the upper leg members of said body between said post and one of said bafile means.

2. An immobilizer as described in claim 1 wherein said platform has longitudinal edges, one of said baffle means comprises a side member attached to one longitudinal edge of said body-receiving platform and extending vertically along said longitudinal edge, and wherein said post is spaced apart from said side member sulficiently to permit vertical adjustment of said restraining means to a level beneath the upper edge of said side member.

3. An immobilizer as described in claim 1 including support legs mounted at the corners of said body-receiving platform on the opposite surface from said post.

4. An immobilizer as described in claim 1 wherein said restraining means comprises:

a pelvic clamping block; and

locking means, attached to said pelvic clamping block and movably mounted on said post, for securing said pelvic clamping block in adjusted position on said post.

5. An immobilizer as described in claim 1 wherein said restraining means has a lower upholstered surface.

6. An immobilizer as described in claim 1 wherein said baffie means are upholstered.

7. An immobilizer as described in claim 2 including a longitudinal side slot through said side member, said side slot extending upwardly from the juncture of said side member and said body-receiving platform, and a longitudinal platform slot in said platform, said platform slot extending laterally from the juncture of said body-receiving platform and said side member.

8. An immobilizer as described in claim 2 including support legs mounted at the corners of said body-receiving platform on the opposite surface from said post and mounted at the corners of said side member on the opposite surface from said body-receiving platform.

9. A child immobilizer comprising:

a platform having longitudinally extending horizontal member having a top surface for supporting the body of said child in a prone position, a bottom surface, longitudinal edges, and transverse ends;

a longitudinally extending vertical member depending upwardly from one of said longitudinal edges of said horizontal member, said vertical member having a back surface and a front surface which adjoins said top surface of said horizontal member;

a vertical baflie attached to said platform adjacent the other of said longitudinal edges;

a shaft depending vertically from said top surface of said platform, said shaft being located between said longitudinal edges and said vertical member, said shaft and said vertical baffie being in lateral juxtaposition to lock one of the upper leg members of said body between said shaft and said vertical member and the other of said upper leg members of said body between said post and said vertical baffle;

a pelvic clamping block movably mounted on said shaft and having the lower surface thereof upholstered; and

locking means fixedly attached to the upper portion of said pelvic clamping block for the vertical adjustment and locking of said pelvic clamping block on said shaft.

10. A child immobilizer as described in claim 9 including slide-resistant support legs mounted at the corners of said bottom surface of said horizontal member and mounted at the corners of said back surface of said vertical member.

11. A child immobilizer as described in claim 9 including cut-out portions in said horizontal member and in said vertical member, said cut-out portions adapted to permit the passage of a film cassette therethrough, both of said cut-out portions being located adjacent the juncture of said vertical member and said horizontal member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,725,030 8/1929 Wantz 250-58 2,027,318 1/1936 Nelson 250-50 2,867,483 1/1959 Rodin 269-328 2,982,248 5/l96l Hosko 119l03 X (Other references on following page) v7 8 -UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS a 1 1166591 6/1958 Fiance.

1 6 1 250 54 74 962 f 196,909 3/1908 Germany. 39511832 P 25054 824,668 12/1951 Germany. I 3,087,059 4/1963 Eveland 250-54 \5 ADELE M. EAGER,,Primary Examiner.

3,120,836 2/1964 -Brau11 ing 119-103 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Examiner. 

1. AN IMMOBILIZER FOR A BODY COMPRISING: A BODY-RECEIVING PLATFORM FOR SUPPORTING SAID BODY IN A PRONE-POSITION; A POST ATTACHED TO AND UPSTANDING FROM SAID PLATFORM; AND ADJUSTABLE RESTRAINING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID POST FOR RESTRAINING AGAINST MOVEMENT THE PELVIS OF SAID BODY BY HOLDING FIRMLY AGAINST SAID PLATFORM, SAID ADJUSTABLE RESTRAINING MEANS BEING VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE ON SAID POST AND SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL BAFFLE MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID PLATFORM ON EACH SIDE OF SAID POST LATERALLY POSITIONED FROM THE PROJECTION OF SAID RESTRAINING MEANS AND COOPERATIVE WITH SAID POST AND SAID ADJUSTABLE RESTRAINING MEANS TO LOCK THE PELVIS OF SAID BODY BENEATH SAID RESTRAINING MEANS AND EACH OF THE UPPER LEG MEMBERS OF SAID BODY BETWEEN SAID POST AND ONE OF SAID BAFFLE MEANS. 